Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-10-07
THE LETTER.

IL was mo SGint-Nalery-cn-C aux, during
the bathing season. that Nine. Alice
Niyicn first met Roger dc Beaumont.
Roger WAS finding the hours quite
tedious at that domestic resort.
He had noticed Mime. Nivicn. who was
by far, the prettiest OF all the fair bath
ers at the place. and he thought that
counting her would be a very pleasant way
of varying the monotonous life he was
leading.
Nine. Niyien dwelt in q pretty cottage
by the seaside Her husband detained
in Paris by his business, could only
manage 20 come down once n week and
remain with her from Saturday to Mon
day.
At the age Of l. Alice had been married
To Mr.. Niyicn, a gentleman 3j years Of
age, whose devotion TO her was n blending
Of love with fatherly tenderness.
She WAS an honest, upright woman,
who would have ropulscd Roger de Beau
mont had he begun 10 make love TO her.
But the young man was too shrewd 10
proceed i'm this way He understood the
young woman's ingenious heart, and he
endeayorcd 10 gain her confidence by slow
degrees.
He was the ideal Of her most secret
thoughts; in n months time he had
gained her love, even before she herself
was aware of it.
Roger himself was beginning to take an
interest in the game ne was playing. lie
even felt growing passion for that ador-
able and artcss young woman. and one
evening. while with her at the picrhead
where they had gone to enjoy the breeze,
he exclaimed. in voice full of emotions:
II love you'n
She tried to make lim hush, TO show
that she was offended; but he, whose
ardor and holiness seemed heightened by
the charm and poetry Of the delightful
evening, continued. in passionate tone:
Il have loved You since the first day
saw YOU And you love me, too. know
1t. | feel il! only let me worship you,
Don't avoid me, don't rcpulse mct'
Hush, for Heavens sake. hushr'
"Oh do not answer me in that way;
me. who adore You: let me hope that you
Will say that YOU love mcr'
As hc looked at her she seemed ready TO
faint; shining tcardr0ps We're yelling in
her eyes, and her little hand Quiyercd like
a captive bird.
LET ne 20" said She in a voice
scarcely audible.
He escorted her t. her gate. and, bow
ing low, ne said: ~ shall expect an
answers it VIII be a sentence Of death or q
command 10 live.
An avowal would perhaps have escaped
from Al!ce's lips had not the noise Of
footsteps and the sound ct voices fallen or
her car.
Drcading to bc seen, and already as
timorous as guilty person, the young
woman withdrew and hastily entered the
house.
II love him, too! | love him. muir
INJURED ehc. and remembering how
anNiou~iy The young man had wished for
an ayow1l of her love, feeling her heart
overfow'ng, She hastily wrote with a fc-
vcrish hand:
Roger, love you, and shall inpatient
~ wait FOR tomorrow ALICE"
She smiled while thinking Of the glad
noss that would III Rogers heart when
h. read her letter, and, Notwithstanding
the latoucs5 O. the hour, she FASTENED ont
to drop it in the letter box.
she lad barely returned 20 the house
when a yacue feeling Of dread began TO
Cypress her. The Intoxicating charm that
had posse. ed her was di.sipated, and TO
her mial came the picture of her husband
so c0nGGug and loving.
The next day, from the moment She
awokc. she had bat one thought, u yet
back Ter letter.
About 4 o'clock in the afternoon she
went TO the casino where She was sure to
find Roger, who as soon MS he saw her.
advanced with outsirctched hands, his
eyes lcaming with triumphal Joy.
''S.r. - said she, yesterday had Il mo-
ment Of folly; forget il. please do not
love yOu, swear it'll have never loved
yoa' and / shall never love you-no,
never!n
ROGER, disappointed, looked at her, n
wicked smile playing about his lips
you are Gn adorable capricious wo-
man" said lie, somewhat insOlenuy, TO
conceal his yeXati0n.
ooh. sir do not De Gnkind Please
give ne back the letter | SO fgolishly sent
you"
''But ! appreciate your letter very
mich II IS charming"
'';sir. am q faithful wife and love my
husband.
The young mcu smiled again, and leon-
lac toward Alice ne looked straight into
her eyes as he said:
~ haven't your letter with me. l care
fully locked it mp at home
The young woman stepped back in
stinctively.
"Be generous. for heavens sakel 10
what J ask do not wish TO see You
again. Send me back my letter, | be-
scech YOU. Return il 10 me through the
postOliice. y
She begged him with claspcd hands,
her face pale with anguish.
tV"Perhapsw replied the young man,
deliberately, bowling gracefully as he
started off.
She felt like following him, to tell him
how angry she was, but. some of her
friends coming up, She was obliged 10
stop and talk TO ;hcm about Indifferent
and frivolous matters while her very soul
was tortured 10y impaticncc and feelings
OF shame.
IL was Thursday, and she thought of
leaving the next day. as soon rs she got
her letter back, picturiag to herself the